Grant: Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support

Mental health consists of a state of wellbeing in which an individual realizes their own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to contribute to their community. However, millions of children around the world are at increased risk of experiencing mental health difficulties due to their exposure to psychosocial risk factors such as parental depression and poverty. Children living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are more likely to be exposed to these risk factors, and even though almost 90% of the world's children live in LMICs, only 10% of mental health research is conducted in these settings. Through an established collaboration between researchers at McGill University and the University of Ghana, we conducted a study on the prevalence and risk and protective factors of young children's mental health problems in Ghana. The objective of this proposal is to engage local community members, policymakers, and academics in dissemination activities focused on children's mental health and wellbeing. Specifically, we will engage in educational workshops and community discussions with community members in the areas where the study was conducted, organize a workshop with representatives from the Ministry of Health and other groups working in mental health to discuss how mental health services can better support young children and their families, and participate in a local scientific conference with researchers from around the country to learn more about ongoing research in child mental health and plan for future studies. This project will not only contribute to ongoing efforts to promote children's mental health in Ghana, but the lessons learned, and the partnerships established will contribute to global evidence-based policies to support families and give children - no matter where they live or who they are - the best start in life.